The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the appointment of 21 local government caretaker committees by the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, as criminal.

The state Chairman of the party, Mr. Emeka Ibe, who stated this in an interview with Journalists in Awka, Thursday, said APC will oppose such move and also not recognize them.

He said: “We are vehemently opposing it and we will not recognise them; what we need is a democratically elected government in the local councils.

“The constitution of caretaker committee is criminal and against the provisions of the Constitution.

“Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria says there must be a democratically elected Local Government.

“State Governors across the country are taking dates to conduct election into Local Governments but Anambra is going back to transition government which will take us back to the days of criminality.”

Ibe argued that Obiano’s plan was to use the transition committees to rig the Nov. 18, governorship election in his favour.

Continuing, Ibe said, “We had written a letter to the Attorney-General and the President not to release any money to the state government until a democratically elected Local Government was put in place in the state.

“We shall send a reminder and as well go back to the court to challenge Obiano’s decision.”

The Chairman said the party is already working internally to win the governorship election of the state adding that the revalidation exercise which commenced in the state in February had recorded over 1.1 million members.

He maintained that the party has recorded 110 million booklets with each containing 100 names.

Ibe, however, assured all the governorship aspirants of the party of credible, free and fair

primaries.

Reacting to the statement, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obiano on Media, Communication Strategy and Legislative Affairs, Prince Oliver Okpala, described it as baseless and frivolous.

He said: “The allegation is frivolous and baseless; the Governor had taken a constitutional step to democratise the local government system by appointing transition committee members as required by Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution.

“The transition committee arrangement will put in motion the election of Chairmen and Councillors into the Local Government as soon as practicable.

“The appointment has no political undertone and nobody should interpret it so. The purpose is not for having upper hand in the election.”

Okpala maintained that the Governor does not need to set up any transitional committee to win the election saying that his achievements speak volumes in terms of provision of abundant democratic dividend to the nooks and crannies of Anambra State.

“Because of his achievements in governance in Anambra State today, no political party in the state can compete or match APGA in any political theatre or election,” he added.

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